Magneto-electric generator



Sept- 19, 1933- E. B. NowoslELsKl 1,927,715

MACYNETO ELECTRIC GENERATOR Filed April '7, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April '7,'1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Edward /Vawoz'elsidz' Patented Sept. 19, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MAGNETO-ELECTRIC GENERATR Application April "i, 1931. Serial No.. 528,388

17 Claims.

'I'he present invention relates to magnetoelectric generators, and more particularly to a combined high tension magneto and distributor ofthe type adaptedto be employed for ignition purposes in internal combustion engines.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide anovel unitary ignition current supply device including a magneto-electric generator and distributor, which is small and compact, yet powerful and eillcient.

Another object is to provide a novel magneto of the inductor type in which no brushes or slip rings are employed, and in which the magnetic circuits are of relatively low reluctance and include few air gaps.

A further object is to provide an ignition current supply device for internal combustion engines embodying a novel'unitary structure including a magneto and distributor, which is adapted to be mounted and drivably connected in the manner in which distributors only have been so connected heretofore.

Another object is to provide 4an ignition current supply device embodying a novel structure including a distributor and magneto drivably connected to a common shaft and rotated about a common axis.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel magneto of the inductor type embodying an improved stator whereby a stronger and more .eilicient magnetic field, in which a rotor is arranged to operate, is produced.

Another object is to provide a novel magneto combined in a unitary structure with a distributor and in which a plurality of reversals of flux may be secured during eah revolution of the rotor with the least number of air gaps in the magnetic circuit.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an ignition current supply device of the above type including novel means for periodically making and breaking the circuit of a rotatable induction coil.

Still another object is to provide a novel method of manufacturing held-magnet frames for dynamo electric machines, whereby a simple and unitary structure is produced.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent, to those skilled in the art, from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein is illustrated one embodiment of the invention. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the apl pended claims.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views,

Fig. l is an axial sectional view of a device embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a reduced plan view looking down on the device in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is another cross-sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view, partially broken 'f away, illustrating the novel magnet frame embodied in the present invention, and the method of making the same; and

Fig. 6 is a schematic circuitdiagram of the device of the invention.

' In the form shown, the present invention comprises a magnet frame 7 (Fig. 5) which is made in accordance with the novel method of the invention, said method consisting in forming a pair of similar annular yoke members 8 and 9 90 with pole pieces 10 and 11 projecting from the planes thereof, respectively, providing a plurality of circumferentially-spaced sockets 12 and 13 in each of the yoke members, arranging a plurality of bar magnets 14 for insertion into 85 said sockets so that the like poles at one end of the magnets, for example the north poles, may be inserted into the sockets 12 while the opposite ends of the magnets, for example the south ends, may fall into the sockets 13, thereby making the pole pieces 10 of one polarity and the pole pieces 11 of opposite polarity, and combining said yoke members so that pole pieces of opposite polarity are arranged in inter-digital relation, thereby producing a magnet frame .95 which is a compact and unitary structure. 'Ihe sockets 12 and 13 may be counter-bored and the bar magnets formed preferably in the shape of cylindrical rods to t tightly within the cour 1 ter-bored sockets. 00

Although in the embodiment illustrated (Figs.

3 and 5) the magnet frame is shown provided with eight pole pieces, four being of one polarity and the other four being of opposite polarity, 105 it is obvious that any number of pole pieces may be formed depending upon the purpose for which the frame is to be employed and upon the number of flux reversals desired whenthe frame is to be used in a magneto generator, for 11 example.

The magnet frame 7 is arranged to be secured between a pair of end plates 15 and 16 of some,

suitable nonmagnetic material, as for example aluminum or brass, and each of which is provided with an annular ange 17 and 18 respectively, adapted to it within the yoke members 8 and 9. This assembly may then be enclosed within a cylindrical cover 19, also of nonmagnetic material preferably aluminum, in order to reduce the weight of the complete device.

'The end plates 15 and 16 are provided with bearing seats 20 and 21 in which suitable antifriction bearings 22 and 23 are mounted.

A composite rotor member 24 is rotatably mounted in said bearings and comprises a housing of some suitable nonmagnetic material formed in two sections 25 and 26, the latter section of which is secured to a drive shaft 27 in any suitable manner as by means of a pair of pins 23 and 29 secured to or formed integral with the shaft at one end thereof. The drive shaft 27 extends through a sleeve 30 which is arranged to be inserted into the place of operation which is generally occupied by the distributor on an internal combustion. engine, as for example in an automobile so that the shaft may be driven at cam-shaft speed or at any suitable multiple speed of the engine, as may be desired. The section 25 of the housing is formed with a cylindrical sleeve 31 which extends through friction bearing 22 and on the end of which is mounted a supporting table 32 in any suitable manner, as by means of a nut 33 screwed on the end of said sleeve member so that said table is rotatable with the rotor 24. The purpose of the table 32 will appear more fully hereinafter.

A laminated T-shaped core of suitable magnetizable material, as for example soft iron,

. is secured between the housing sections 25 and 36 are each adjacent pole pieces of like polarity but of opposite polarity with respect to the first mentioned pole piece, thereby forming a magnetic path which extends from the rst mentioned pole piece through the core to the second mentioned pole piece. The tail of the T and the ends of the cross-piece thereof are made arcuate so thatv the core may be rotated within the magnet frame 7 and is arranged to iit closely in said frame so that only a relatively small air gap is introduced between the core and the pole pieces of the magnet frame. y

It will be apparent from Fig. 3 that as the rotor 24 is driven by the shaft 27, the flux traversing the core will be periodically alternated or reversed, for example in the position shown in Fig. 3 the direction of the flux is from the north pole at the left and enters the core at the tail piece 35, passing through the core to the south poles which are adjacent the ends of the cross-piece 36 of the core. As soon as the tail piece 35 falls adjacent the next succeeding pole piece, which is of south polarity, the ends of the cross-piece 36 will then be opposite a pair of pole pieces which are of a polarity opposite to that of the pole piece adjacent the tail of the core, that is, the tail of the core will be adjacent a south pole while the ends of the crosspiece will each be adjacent a north pole thereby reversing the path of the magnetic ux through the core. It will thus be seen that in the present instance there will be eight reversals of ilux through the core for each revolution of the rotor.

Means are now provided for employing the reversals of the magnetic ux to generate an electric current and to this end a generating coil 37 is suitably wound on the T-shaped core and comprises the usual low tension primary winding 38 and the high tension secondary winding 39 with the internal ends of the primary and secondary grounded to the rotor 24 in any suitable manner (not shown).

Novel means are provided for periodically interrupting the circuit of the primary winding 38 each time that the magnetic flux reverses and at the instant when the ilux is at a maximum in the core, thereby inducing a high tension current in the secondary 39. In the form shown, the circuit making and breaking device comprises a pair of electrical contacts 40 and 41, the former of which is rigidly secured to and insulated from the supporting table 32 as by means of screws 42 and 43 and an insulating plate 44. The screws 42 and 43 are also insulated from table 32 by means of insulating bushings 45 and 46. The contact 41 is movable relative to the contact 40 and is carried by an arm 47 of some suitable conducting material, said arm being pivoted to the table 32 by means of a pin 48 and insulated from said table by means of an insulating bushing 49. The arm 47 is provided with an extending portion 50 on which is mounted a cam follower 51. The cam follower 51 is arranged upon rotation of the table 32 to engage the surface of an internal cam 52 which in the embodiment illustrated, is in the form of an Octagon although it may have any other suitable geometric form depending upon the number of times it is desired to break the circuit of the primary coil during one revolution of the rotor or the engine. The internal cam 52 remains stationary while the table 32 rotates, and for this purpose said cam is pressed in a collar 53 which is secured to the end plates 15 by means of the screws 54. The contact 41 is arranged to be closed with the contact 40 by means of an arcuate spring 55 secured to the extension 50 of the arm 47 as at 56 and to the table 32 as at 57. Contacts 40 and 41 are open when the follower 51 is in the angle formed by two sides of the internal cam and are closed when the follower is in the mid-point of any one of the sides of the cam. It is thus apparent that as the table 32 rotates, the follower 51 actuates the arm 47 to open and close the contacts 40 and 41 each time that the follower is at the mid-point of one of the sides.

The movable contact 41 is grounded to the cam 52 through the arm 47 and the follower 51, while the fixed contact 40 is connected to the other end of the primary and to a condenser 58 by means of leads 59 and 60 respectively, the other side of the condenser 58 being grounded to the rotor 24. The xed contact is also connected to a suitable switch (not shown) for rendering the magneto inoperative, through a. lead 61 which is connected to a brush 62 imbedded in an insulating member 63 and through a slip ring 64 to a terminal .65. The high tension end of the secondary coil 39 is connected by means of a lead 66 to a lug 67 which is in contact with a revolving electrode 68 of a distributor. The electrode 68 is imbedded in the arm 69 projecting from insulator member 63,

--fneto-electric generator.

mamie the latter being secured to and rotatable with the table 32. The insulator member 63 is hallowed out to form a chamber 70 into which extends a tubular insulator member 71 which carries the lug 67 and through which passes the high tension lead 66 of the secondary 39.

The distributor unit, in the embodiment illustrated, comprises a cover or cap 72 of some suitableinsulating material, as for example of hard rubber or'of a phenolic condensation product, and is secured to the end plate 15 in any suitable manner, as for example by means of screws 73. Imbedded in the top wall of the cap are a series of circumferentially arranged electrodes 74 which cooperate with the revolvable electrode 68, the latter being revolved simultaneously with the rotation of the rotor 24. Each of the electrodes 74 terminates in a metallic socket 75 which is adapted to receive a plug connected'to a conductor leading to a spark plug on the internal combustion engine (not shown), as is well known in the art.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that as the rotor 24 is driven by the shaft 27, the magnetic ilux traversing the T-shaped core is periodically reversed, thereby generating a current in theprimary coil 38. The circuit of the primary is periodically interrupted by means of the novel circuit breaking mechanism including the follower 51 and cam 52 actuated by the 4simultaneous rotation of the table 32 on which the contacts are carried, thereby inducing a high tension current in the secondary coil 39. The high tension current then is fed from the secondary through the revolving electrode 68` to the various cylinders of the engine by means of the stationary distributor electrodes 74, each of which is connected to a cylinder of said engine.

The electric circuit arrangement of the novel magneto-generator will be more apparent from the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 6 wherein the spark plugs of the internal combustion engine, with which the generator is associated, are shown diagrammatically at 76. The high tension electrode of each of the plugs is connected to each of the distributor electrodes 74 by means of the leads 77. The actuating switch referred to hereinbefore is shown at 78 and is arranged to render the magneto-generator inoperative by grounding the primary winding 38 of the induction coil.

- There is thus provided a novel ignition current supply device including a magneto-electric generator which is small and compact, yet powerful and emcient, and also includes, as a unitary structure therewith, a distributor driven hmm the same shaft as the rotor of the mag- The novel ignition unit may be quickly and easily operatively connected to an internal combustion engine in the position in which distributors have been so connected heretofore, and in substantially the same space. There is also provided a novel method of manufacturing held-magnet frames for dynamoelectric machines and magneto-generators whereby a simple and unitary structure is produced.

While only one embodiment of the invention hasbeen illustrated and described, Achanges and modifications which will now appear to those skilled in the art may be made in the form,

details of construction and arrangement o! the parts, without departing from the scope of the invention, and reference is therefore to be had to the appended claims'for a denition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. As an article of manufacture, a field-magnet frame for dynamo-electric machines, comprising a pair of yoke members of suitable magnetizable material having projecting pole pieces, said yokes being combined so that said pole pieces are in inter-digital relation and so arranged that when magnetized, the pole pieces of one yoke will be of one polarity and the pole pieces of the other yoke of opposite polarity.

2. As an article of manufacture, a field-magnet frame for dynamo-electric machines, comprising a pair of similar yoke members of suitable magnetizable material having projecting pole pieces, each of said yoke members also having circumferentially spaced sockets for the reception of bar magnets, a plurality of bar magnets arranged for insertion of the ends thereof of one polarity into the sockets of one yoke member, and the ends thereof of opposite polarity into the sockets of -the other yoke member, and said yoke members beingiso combined that thel pole pieces of.\said members are in interdigital relation to form a unitary field structure having alternate north and south poles.

3. A magneto-electric generator comprising in combination, a field-magnet frame including a pair of yoke members having pole pieces projecting therefrom and arranged in inter-digital relation, a bar magnet arranged betweemtadjacent pole pieces and secured to said yoke members so that the pole pieces on one member are of one polarity and the pole pieces on the other member are of opposite polarity, a composite rotor arranged concentrically within the magnet frame and adapted to be rotated so that. the magnetic ux produced by the magnet frame is periodically reversed through said rotor, a current generating coil carried by and rotatable with said rotor whereby a current is generated in said coil due to the periodical reversals of iiux therethrough, means rotatable with said rotor member and arranged concentrically therewith for periodically interrupting the primary winding of said generating coll to induce a high tension current in the secondary winding of said coil, and means for distributing the high tension currents to a plurality of points and having a revolving electrode arranged to be driven by and concentrically with the rotor member.

4. An ignition current supply device for internal combustion engines comprising in combination, a field-magnet frame including a pair of yoke members having pole pieces projecting from the planes thereof. and arranged in interdigital relation, a bar magnet positioned between each pair of adjacent pole pieces and secured to the yoke members with the end of one polarity engaging one member and the end of the opposite polarity engaging the other member, a rotor arranged concentrically within the magnet frame, means adapted to be connected to the internal combustion engine for driving the rotor within said frame whereby the magnetic flux from the pole pieces traversing said rotor is' periodically reversed, a current generating coil carried by and rotatable with said rotor so that a current is generated in the primary winding of said coil due to the periodic ux reversals, means for interrupting the circuit of the primary winding so that a high tension current is induced in the secondary winding of said generating coil, and means drivably connected to and rotatable with said rotor for distributing the high tension current to a plurality of points.

5. An ignition current supply device for internal combustion engines comprising in combination, a field-magnet frame, a rotor journaled in said frame and including a core of magnetizable material, a current generating coil wound on said core, said core being so arranged that upon rotation thereof the magnetic flux from the field magnets is periodically reversed therethrough whereby current is induced in said generating coil, means concentric with and rotated by said rotor for periodically ninterrupting the primary winding of the generating coil to induce a high tension current in the secondary winding of said coil, and means drivably connected to and concentrically rotatable with said rotor for distributing a high tension current to a plurality of points.

6. An ignition current supply device for internal combustion engines comprising in combination, a magneto-electric generator of the inductor type including a substantially cylindrical field-magnet frame having pole pieces arranged longitudinally and circumferentially thereof, a rotor journaled in said cylindrical frame and including a core and a current generating coil arranged transversely in said frame and rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereof, means adapted to be drivably connected lto an internal combustion engine for driving said rotor to periodically reverse the magnetic flux traversing the core, whereby a current is induced in the generating coil, means drivably connected to and concentrically rotatable with said rotor for periodically interrupting the circuit of said generating coil to produce a high tension current, and a distributor arranged concentrically with the rotor and driven by the latter for supplying ignition current to the cylinders of the engine.

7. An ignition current supply device for internal combustion engines, comprising a magneto-electric generator including a field-magnet frame, a rotor including a magnetizable core and a' current generating coil wound on said core, said rotor being so arranged that upon rotation thereof the flux from the magnet frame is periodically reversed through said core Whereby current is induced in the coil, a drive shaft adapted to be connected to and driven by an internal combustion engine for driving said rotor, a circuit making and breaking device for producing a high tension current in said coil, and a distributor for supplying said high tension current to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine, said circuit making and breaking device and said distributor being drivably connected to the drive shaft and rotatable about a common axis therewith.

8. An ignition current supply device for internal combustion engines comprising in combination, a magneto-electric generator of the inductor type including a substantially cylindrical field-magnet frame having pole pieces arranged longitudinally and circumferentially thereof, a rotor journaled in said frame and arranged to be drivably connected to an internal combustion engine, said rotor including a core of magnetizable material and a current generating coil wound thereon, said core being substantially T-shaped and arranged so that upon rotation thereof the magnetic ux from the pole pieces at one instant enters the core through the tail of the core and leaves said core through the ends of the cross-'piece thereof, and at the next instant said flux enters the core through the ends of the cross-piece and leaves said core through the tail thereof, whereby current is induced in the primary winding of the generating coil, a circuit making and breaking device carried by and rotatable with the rotor for producing a high tension current in said generating coil, and a distributor for supplying said high tension current to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine, the revolving electrode of said distributor being also carried by and rotatable with said rotor and said circuit making and breaking device about a common axis.

9. An ignition current supply device for internal combustion engines comprising in combination, a magneto-electric generator of the inductor type including a substantially cylindrical field-magnet frame having pole pieces arranged longitudinally and circumferentially thereof, a rotor journaled in said frame and including a T-shaped core and a current generating coil wound on the latterl said core and generating coil being arranged transversely in said frame but rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereof so that upon rotation of the core the tail of the core is at one instant opposite a pole piece of one polarity and the ends of the cross-piece of the core are opposite pole pieces of like polarity relative to each other but of opposite polarity relative to the first mentioned pole piece, and at the next instant the tail of the core is opposite the pole piece of a polarity opposite to that in the rst instant and the ends of the cross-piece of the core are opposite the pole pieces of a plurality opposite to that of the last mentioned pole piece, whereby the flux traversing the core is periodically reversed and a current induced in said generating coil, means adapted to be drivably connected to an internal combustion engine for driving the rotor of the generator at cam shaft speed or a multiple thereof, a circuit making and breaking device for inducing a high tension current in said generating coil, a distributor for supplying high tension current to the cylinders of the engine, said circuit making and breaking device and said distributor being secured to and rotatable with the rotor about a common axis and en- 1 closed in an insulating housing secured to the field-magnet frame of the generator.

10. An ignition current supply device comprising in combination, a magneto-electric generator of the inductor type including a magnet frame and a rotor journaled in said frame, the latter including a core and a current generating coil wound on said core, a circuit making and breaking device secured to and rotatable with the rotor for inducing a high tension current in said generating coil, said circuit making and breaking device comprising a pair of relatively movable electrical contacts carried by a supporting member secured to the rotor, and an internal cam secured to the magnet frame and arranged so that upon rotation of the contact supporting member the electrical contacts are periodically opened and closed, and a distributor for supplying the high tension current to the cylinders of the engine, the revolving electrode 1 of said'distributor being also carried by and rotatable with the contact supporting member and enclosed together with the circuit making and breaking device in an insulating housing secured to the magnet frame. l

l1. An ignition current supply device comprising in combination, a magneto-electric generator of the inductor type including a eldmagnet frame and a rotor journaled in the latter, said rotor comprising a current generating coil having a core through which the magnetic ux from the field magnets of the frame is arranged to be periodically reversed, whereby a current is generated in the coil, a circuit making and breaking device for producing a high tension current in said coil and comprising a supporting table secured to and rotatable with the rotor, a pair of relatively movable electrical contacts mounted on said supporting table, one of said contacts having a follower secured thereto, a stationary internal cam secured to the magnet frame and having the shape of a polygon and arranged to engage with the follower so that upon rotation of the supporting table with the rotor the electrical contacts are periodically opened and closed, a distributor for supplying the high tension current to the cylinders of an engine and having its revolving electrode secured to and revolvable with the contact supporting table about a common axis, and an insulating casing secured to the magnet frame and enclosing the circuit making and breaking device and the distributor and carrying the cooperating stationary electrodes, of the latter.

12. In apparatus of the class described, a eldmagnet frame for dynamo-electric machines comprising a pair of yoke members arranged in opposed relation and having pole pieces projecting from the planes thereof, the pole pieces of one yoke member being, arranged in interdigital relation with the pole pieces of the other yoke member, and permanent bar magnets arranged alternately between the pole pieces and secured to the yoke members for holding the latter in assembled relation.

13. As a new article of manufacture, a iieldmagnet frame for dynamo-electric machines comprising a pair of annular yoke members arranged in parallel spaced relation and having pole pieces projecting from the planes thereof, the pole pieces of one yoke member being in inter-digital relation with the pole pieces of the other yoke member, and permanent bar magnets arranged alternately between the pole pieces with the like ends thereof secured to one yoke member and the opposite ends thereof secured to the other yoke member, whereby one member is of one polarity andl the other member is of opposite polarity and forming a substantially cylindrical frame having alternate pole pieces of like polarity.

14. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a field-magnet frame, a rotor rotatable in said frame and including'a magnetizable core and a current generating coil Wound on said core, said rotor being so arranged that upon rotation thereof the flux from the magnet frame is periodically reversed through the core whereby a current is generated in the coil, a supporting member rotatable with said rotor about a common axis therewith,

a pair of relatively movable contacts carried by and rotatable with said supporting member, and stationary cam means surrounding said member and having operative engagement with one of said contacts for interrupting the flow of current in said coil upon rotation of the rotor to produce a high tension current.

15. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a held-magnet frame having a plurality of pole pieces, a rotor adapted to be rotated in said frame and including a magnetizable core and a current generating coil wound on said core, said core and coil being so constructed and arranged with respect to the magnet frame and its pole pieces that upon rotation of the rotor the nflux from the pole pieces is periodically reversed through the core whereby a current is generated in the coil, a supporting member carried by and rotatable with said rotor, distributor means including an arm carried by said supporting member, relatively movable contacts mounted on said supporting member and rotatable therewith, and means operatively engaging one of said contacts for moving it into and out of engagement with the other of said contacts to interrupt the ow of current in said coil.

16. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a field-magnet frame having a plurality of pole pieces, a rotor adapted to be rotated in said magnet frame and including a magnetizable core and a current generating coil wound on said core, said core and coil being so constructed and arranged with respect to the magnet frame and its pole pieces that upon rotation or the rotor the ux from the pole pieces is periodically reversed through the core whereby a current is generated in the coil, a supporting member carried by and rotatable with said rotor, distributor means including an arm carried by said supporting member, a pair of relatively movable electrical contacts also carried by said supporting member and rotatable therewith, means operatively engaging one of said contacts for moving it into and out of engagement with the other of said' contacts `to interrupt the flow of current in said .coil for producing a high tension current, a housing enclosing said distributor arm and said circuitinterrupting means, and a plurality of stationary electrodes carried by said housing and arranged circumferentially with respect to said distributor arm and cooperating therewith for distributing said high tension current to a plurality of points.

17. In apparatus of the class described, a fieldmagnet frame including a pair of annular members having pole pieces extending toward the opposite annular member in spaced parallel arrangement, said pole pieces constituting alternately north and south poles, and bar-like magnets countersunk at their opposite ends into said annular members, said magnets being disposed between adjacent north and south pole pieces.

EDWARD B. NOWOSIELSKI. 

